BUMC Mexico Blog

Back in Brentwood

Dwight — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:51:32 +0000

After several travel delays in Mexico City and Dallas our team arrived back to the Nashville airport around 10:30 pm on Sunday and back to BUMC a little after 11:00. Thanks for all your prayers and support it was a wonderful 9 day experience in South Mexico. It has been a pleasure being the leader of such a dedicated team of people.

Time to return

Dwight — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:28:57 +0000

Today we complete our 9 day journey serving the people of Mexico. We have had a blessed time and have been touched in so many ways. Today we travel from Puebla to Mexico City and then on to Nashville via Dallas. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. Please continue to keep us in your prayers today as we travel and keep our friends in Mexico in your prayers for the days to come.

At the Church and Program Summary

Dwight — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:47:02 +0000

Our week has been filled with many meaningful activities. We always describe the work and the projects, but one of the highlights of the week is worshipping with our hosts and fellow workers at the Gethseme Methodist Church in Tlancualpican. On Thursday night the Brentwood Team led the worship service. Several Spanish-speaking team members read scriptures. Dwight introduced the team to the congregation, and Joaquin Garcia delivered the message. We even had special music by Brentwood Mexico Choir, thanks for several team members carrying the load on the singing.

The most important activity is learning all the aspects of the GYTTE Program. We began our trip learning about the State and city of Puebla, attending church, and attending church before traveling to the village and the Tree of Life Center.

On Monday we learned about rural reality. The day centered around how the rural people of Mexico work and live. We ate similar food and worked with tools which local residients would use. This day we used no power tools, our soft drinks at lunch were only slightly cool as local residents have limited refrigeration. As noted in an earlier post we even tried our hands at making tortillas. Mary Fletcher won the contest for the best tortilla!

Tuesday we learned the importance of animals as a source of transportation, food, and income. We shared our devotional with the animals and even learned how to milk a cow. This is all part of the Puebla Partners program and was detailed in an earlier post as well.

The program area which seemed to generate the most interest from our team was “More Than a Bandage.” This especially touched our hearts as its emphasis is human development. This program has improved the health of literally hundreds, and even thousands, of residents of Mexico. Due to its great success, ”More Than a Bandage” is being replicated in Chile and being studied in Guatemala.

Today will be our last working day and a day in which we celebrate with our workers, exchange gifts, and say good-bye to our day-laborers.

Please keep the team in your prayers as we wind down here and begin our journey back to the USA this weekend.

Brentwood Blvd

Dwight — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:58:32 +0000

The picture on the left is of Joaquin and Barbara Garcia along with Mary Fletcher. These three were on the team in 1993 who helped build one of the early roads at “The Land” now known as the Tree of Life Center. Joaquin and Barbara have joined our team as former members of BUMC and are long time supporters of the GYTTE program. Barbara has filled in for our Missionary Muriel Henderson who is not with us this week.

Viva Mexico!

Dwight — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:17:59 +0000

Today was a full day. We awoke once again to the heavy rain of South Mexico. However by mid-morning the rain gave way to sunshine in time for the Tlancualpican Independence Day Parade. We were able to have our “almuerzo” (morning meal) at the chuch in the village with the new minister and his family. We all gathered a block from the church and watched the parade. School children from Kindergarten through High School marched, played music and celebrated the 199th anniversay of Mexico’s Independence.

Before returning to the Arbol de Vida (Tree of Life) to continue our work projects we vistied a family who have received animals (hair sheep) and a cow from GYTTE program. As part of the program they return one off-spring to the program for others who have recevied training in how to care for the animals. The GYTTE program has placed hundreds of animals in South Central Mexico over the years.

Upon arriving back at the Tree of Life Center, we returned to our projects: road construction, dry compost latrine building, plaster application and dormitory building.

Tuesday Update from Tlancualpican

Dwight — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:49:07 +0000

After overnight storms a humid and hot day awaited the team today. We began our morning with our devotional, near nature, with the animals. We had a chance to hold a goat, feed a calf from a bottle and a few, actually most, of the team tried their hand at miking a cow.

Our work this weeks consists of several projects. We have worked on a new dormitory to house the growing number of Mexicans served and trained by this ministry, construction of a dry compost latrine is another project along with repair of the guest house and repairing the roads which get washed out and rutted in the rainy season. These among other activites in the heat has made the team tired but still serving strong. Later today we will see more of the unique technology employed and taught by the GYTTE ministry as well as visiting a family in the village who participate in the Puebla Partners program.

Our team is proud to represent BUMC and continue to be blessed by the people of South Central Mexioc.

At the Tree of Life Center

Dwight — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:16:24 +0000

Our team arrived at the Tree of Life Center near Tlancualpican, Mexico late Sunday afternoon during a heavy thunderstorm. The night was full of storms but today was blue skys and heat typical of South Central Mexico. We spent the day working various projects and even tried our hand at cooking . This evening we will take a walk around the village and then later will continue to learn more about the GYTTE Mission and how it serves the people of this region. I will continue to update our Blog site to keep you posted.

Sunday Worship

Dwight — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:36:22 +0000

We enjoyed worshipping with the Methodist Church in Puebla today. The City is still buzzing with the anticipation of the upcoming Independence Day celebration. We however, leave the city this afternoon for the village of Tlancualpican and the Tree of Life. View the website for details: www.gytte.org.

We are in Mexico

Dwight — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:49:26 +0000

Our team arrived safely today in Mexico City and then traveled to the colonial city of Puebla. Tomorrow we will worship with the local Methodist congregation prior to our travel to the village of Tlancualpican. Home of the Tree of Life Cener. Continue to keep our team in your prayers this week.

10 Day Weather Forecast for Puebla, Mexico

Dwight — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:54:11 +0000

10-Day Business Travel Forecast for Puebla, Mexico

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/MXPA0070